Rope Recycling, Rugs, and Cheapies
Posted by Summer on June 25, 2008
I’ve done a ditty about shoe resoling - now what about greening the way you do rope? Our burly buddies take up a lot of room in our packs and, it stands to reason, in landfills too.
Rope Recycling - Where to send retired rope. Don’t worry, they’ll feel right at home.
Sterling Rope - Mail it in. You’re instantly greener.
Yucca Dune - $10 trade-in with purchase of new rope.
The Red Swing Project - May or may not still be in action. But if they are, donate your rope for up-cycling into a random act of playfulness.
Millet - If you’re in Europe (lucky bastard), Millet is currently conducting their 4th annual Recycle-Save program. Now through July 31st, return any brand at one of their retail partners for 0.35 € per meter towards your next Millet rope.
Mountain Equipment Co-Op - If you’re in Montreal (argh!), your local MEC accepts and sends old rope to Leigh Textile Inc. for “rejuvenation.” Tearing it apart and making it into stuffing, that is. FYI - other MEC locations welcome bunches of hard-to-recycle stuff like clothes, batteries, fuel canisters, ink cartridges, cell phones, bike tires and tubes, etc.
Rope Rugs - Stylish and eco-savvy. Consider making one for a lady friend. She’ll want you to help with all her craft projects after that!
Retied Rope Rugs - DDIY (Don’t Do It Yourself).
Ashley’s Book of Knots - The how-to book.
The Marrow Guide to Knots - Another how-to book.
www.RealKnots.com - What do you think?
Thanks to the TradGirl Wiki for most of this rope-rug-related info.
Other Things
Make a clothesline. You’re reusing rope and ipso facto opting to hang rather than machine-dry. Two conscientious deeds in one.
Dog leashes - like Krebs Recycle.
Marvin Minsky’s Original Rope Tie - Clear nail polish. Knew it could stop a run in my tights. Never thought it could ruin my outfit just as easily… Too harsh?
Eviscerate your rope and use nylon filaments as throw-pillow stuffing. Tell me if you do this! I totally made it up and don’t know if it’s possible without a seriously badass shredder.
Replacing Rope
Because we all want to be green, but we like bargain shopping, too. Or is that just me? Anyway, I love buying used. But when it comes to rope, cheapies are the next best thing.
APPEX Gear has clearance rope from as far back as 2005 on sale (online). Dynamic from $113. Static (for you cavers and canyoneers) from $99. You can thank me by taking me on a trip to Utah. A bit off topic, but APEXX also has closeout harnesses in totally unhip colors. You can save money and look like you’ve been doing this since ‘82. If you have been doing this since ‘82, maybe the Atari-graphic-like patterns will make you feel young again?
[...] shoes could be fixed cheaper than buying a new pair of shoes. Her second installment, “Rope Recycling, Rugs, and Cheapies“, looks at the climber’s lifeline-the almighty [...]
June 27th, 2008 at 9:22 am
hello, this is the red swing project. yes we are still active. we are currently in india swinging the days away. we have hung 5 swings so far and plan for one more in india before returning to the us. you can check out at a few pictures at http://www.redswingproject.blogspot.com - we also currently have swingers in brazil, thailand, and south korea and will be looking forward to seeing those swings as well. please contact us by email at redswingproject@gmail.com if you are interested in making a donation of retired static rope. keep swingin!
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:12 am
Awesome! Glad to hear you’re still kicking. (On your swings…to swing higher…that is.)
August 5th, 2008 at 11:02 am